]]>A "how to" for youth votersScott McKownFri, 05 Oct 2018 19:39:30 +0000http://www.marinlwv.org/news-home/2018/10/5/youth-vote5600385ee4b02cfe4bf0edb4:56018828e4b0ead07ebd90f9:5bb7bb717817f75a6923cb23Despite their potential impact in the electoral process, young adults (age 18-29) vote at a far lower rate than any other age group in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau found that 72% of eligible voters aged 65 or older cast a ballot in the 2012 presidential election, while only 45% of eligible voters aged 18-29 did the same.

Check out the following resource: In the hopes of making the voting process as easy as possible for our nation’s youth the team at BestColleges.com created a series of guides for the upcoming election season. One of them specifically dives into the voter registration laws for each state:

]]>November Election PreviewScott McKownTue, 11 Sep 2018 20:26:55 +0000http://www.marinlwv.org/news-home/2018/9/11/november-election-preview5600385ee4b02cfe4bf0edb4:56018828e4b0ead07ebd90f9:5b982472758d4662c7c213aeThe local and regional November ballot measures and candidate races have been finalized, all pointing to an action-packed fall for the Governance/Voter Service team! Over the next few months the team will be helping to educate voters through candidate forums and Pros & Cons presentations on the ballot measures. Monitor the Events listing and November 2018 election section.]]>Members invited to Nov election planning meetingScott McKownThu, 09 Aug 2018 20:18:52 +0000http://www.marinlwv.org/news-home/2018/8/9/members-invited-to-nov-election-planning-meeting5600385ee4b02cfe4bf0edb4:56018828e4b0ead07ebd90f9:5b6c9e77b8a04570e82d62cbMeeting to be held Monday, August 27, Members with an interest in the November 6 general election are invited to attend and learn what is involved in the League's activities supporting education events to inform voters.

This is a 2 tiered meeting:

10:30-11:30amPros & Cons: We will review the process involved and assign the teams. You will have the opportunity to express your area of interest and participate on a team that coincides with your interests.

11:30am-12:15pm Candidate Forums: We will discuss candidate forums and how you can be involved.

PLEASE NOTE: Everyone is welcome at both sessions, but feel free to attend one or the other if you so desire.

Justice: Links to local reports on immigration issues and report of federal legislation

Voter Service “RAMPING UP FOR THE NOVEMBERELECTION…WE NEED YOUR HELP!”

]]>RAMPING UP FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION…WE NEED YOUR HELP!Scott McKownSat, 23 Jun 2018 17:44:22 +0000http://www.marinlwv.org/news-home/2018/6/23/ramping-up-for-the-november-electionwe-need-your-help5600385ee4b02cfe4bf0edb4:56018828e4b0ead07ebd90f9:5b2d569503ce64d472f03300The League of Women Voters’ “Making Democracy Work” campaign is taking a sharp focus on empowering voters for the upcoming November elections. In Marin County, the League’s Governance/Voter Service Committee is where most of this work takes place providing services to voters, including voter registration, sponsoring candidate debates, and performing impartial analyses of ballot measures.

Candidate Forums – the coordination and running of candidate panels where they can express their positions

In the next few weeks the committee will send out details explaining the duties for each team and the time commitment.

While November seems a long time away, there is no time to lose. Marin County candidate and ballot measure filings for the November ballot will open mid-July and close mid-August. Several ballot measures have already been submitted and accepted. Governance/Voter Service committee members are monitoring these developments on an ongoing basis.

If you have any interest in signing up for of these teams to help empower Marin County voters, please contact:

]]>Our Representatives - LWV National ConventionScott McKownMon, 18 Jun 2018 17:21:27 +0000http://www.marinlwv.org/news-home/2018/6/18/our-representative-lwv-national-convention5600385ee4b02cfe4bf0edb4:56018828e4b0ead07ebd90f9:5b27e9b86d2a73aff1751ef5Linda Jackson and Laurie Nardone are our delegates to the Convention where they will meet with League members from across the nation. Take a look at the daily schedule to get an idea of the variety of issues to be discussed. ]]>2018 Annual Meeting of MembersScott McKownTue, 08 May 2018 23:09:53 +0000http://www.marinlwv.org/news-home/2018/5/8/first-call-for-2018-annual-meeting-of-members5600385ee4b02cfe4bf0edb4:56018828e4b0ead07ebd90f9:5af22d5c0e2e724f1d9c2a56The 2018 Annual Meeting of the League of Women Voters of Marin County will be held on Monday, June 4, 2018 at the McInnis Park Golf Clubhouse, 350 Smith Ranch Road, San Rafael, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. League members and guests are all invited! (Register Here)

The annual meeting is an important one - it's mandated in our League bylaws. This year's agenda will include:

Election of two new officers, five directors, and a nominating committee for 2018-2019

Adoption of budget, including dues for the next year(s)

Adoption of significant revisions to bylaws and local league positions

Adoption of local program for the ensuing year

Other business as needed

The Member Annual Meeting Kit is being mailed to Members and should be brought to the meeting. Be sure to review the full kit before the meeting.

This year we'll also hear from...

...our Education Foundation about the results of our "Lift for English Learners" fundraiser

Reservations are required for lunch; sign up online or call the League office for assistance.

If you wish to come only for the meeting, please RSVP anyway so we know how many chairs to set up.

]]>The League of Women Voters of Marin County Education Foundation announces a new fundraising campaign.Scott McKownTue, 24 Apr 2018 16:49:13 +0000http://www.marinlwv.org/news-home/2018/4/24/the-league-of-women-voters-of-marin-county-education-foundation-announces-a-new-fundraising-campaign5600385ee4b02cfe4bf0edb4:56018828e4b0ead07ebd90f9:5adf5e1903ce643ebcb7af63A Lift for English Learners

Thanks to a landmark partnership with Marin Transit started in 2015, all College of Marin students now have unlimited access to Marin Transit with the purchase of a special sticker for their COM student card.

The Marin League of Women Voters' Education Foundation is raising money to buy this special sticker for low-income immigrant students enrolled in free noncredit English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

We invite all League members and friends to donate to "A Lift for English Learners." Your tax-deductible donation of $25, $50, $100 or more will help COM's low-income immigrant students with educational and economic opportunities.

Please give with a donation significant to you.

The Education Foundation has set aside $3,000 to match (dollar-for-dollar) all donations received before June 6, 2018. Don't wait - donate!

]]>LWVMC Candidate ForumsScott McKownThu, 12 Apr 2018 18:24:44 +0000http://www.marinlwv.org/news-home/2018/4/12/lwvmc-candidate-forums5600385ee4b02cfe4bf0edb4:56018828e4b0ead07ebd90f9:5acfa4222b6a28b29978ff80The District Attorney's race will have a live forum at the San Rafael City Council Chambers on Friday, April 13. You won't want to miss this - but if you must, the event will be live-streamed and available on video. [UPDATE: see link to video and broadcast schedule at top right of this page.]

The District 5 Supervisor forum (Judy Arnold and Toni Shoyer) has been confirmed for Friday, May 4 in studio. Video will be available.

No other candidate forums have been scheduled at this time.

]]>LWVMC Supports Corte Madera June 2018 Sales Tax MeasureScott McKownSat, 17 Mar 2018 17:22:14 +0000http://www.marinlwv.org/news-home/2018/3/17/lwvmc-supports-corte-madera-june-2018-sales-tax-measure5600385ee4b02cfe4bf0edb4:56018828e4b0ead07ebd90f9:5aad4df003ce64db74c85cd3The League of Women Voters of Marin County takes a position in support of Measure F, the Town of Corte Madera sales tax extension. Our support is based on the following factors:

The evidence of meaningful citizen involvement in oversight of sales tax funded activityreflected in the minutes of the Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee

The identification of exposure and estimation of the Town’s anticipated capital costs associatedwith sea level rise as well as providing for the maintenance of existing flood protection infrastructure

The attention to and planning for funding of unfunded actuarial liability exposure in pensionobligations (CalPers) and other post-employment benefits (California Employers’ Retiree BenefitTrust)

The established “Sales Tax Override” fund to account for the use of the sales tax generated revenue stream

Transparency reflected in an up to date and well-maintained Town web site

The League of Women Voters of Marin County takes a position in support of the Dixie School District’s 2018 parcel tax measure appearing on the May 6, 2018 mail in ballot.

We recognize the severe impact on educational services that will occur should the parcel tax fail.

In taking our position we considered the fact that this measure includes the following variation from the expiring parcel tax being: a one time initial increase in the annual tax and an annual inflator of 3%.

Professional personnel and related costs are required to achieve the “specific purposes” stated in the measure. We are mindful of the fact the cost of past and future professional resources is increasingly impacted by unfunded pension obligations and post employment health benefits. We also understand Marin School Districts are acutely aware of this issue and have expressed their concern in Sacramento.

We urge the Administration and Board keep the public informed of these costs, setting forth where there are local opportunities to manage them and to what extent identified measures to control cost have been or are planned to be taken.

]]>LWVMC supports Kentfield School District Parcel Tax MeasureScott McKownMon, 29 Jan 2018 19:36:38 +0000http://www.marinlwv.org/news-home/2018/1/29/lwvmc-supports-kentfield-school-district-parcel-tax-measure5600385ee4b02cfe4bf0edb4:56018828e4b0ead07ebd90f9:5a6f742be4966b5767b18146The League of Women Voters of Marin County takes a position in support of the Kentfield School District’s 2018 Measure Parcel Tax proposal to appearing on the March 6, 2018 mail in ballot.

We recognize the severe impact on educational services that will occur should the parcel tax fail. Our taking a neutral position on the failed November 2016 measure we cited two critical factors that have been adjusted in the current measure:

the annual inflator factor,

the accessibility to the public of the annual reports of revenue and expense allocation required by past and proposed measure wording; and,

The reduction in initial tax increase and the compounding factor have been modified and access to reports of revenue and expense allocation are readily available on the District’s website.

Once again, we officially take position in support of the passage of the Measure.

]]>Opportunities to Build an Even Healthier MarinScott McKownTue, 09 Jan 2018 22:18:02 +0000http://www.marinlwv.org/news-home/2018/1/9/opportunities-to-build-an-even-healthier-marin5600385ee4b02cfe4bf0edb4:56018828e4b0ead07ebd90f9:5a5539d5f9619af100f0b484Marin County Public Health Officer, Matt Willis spoke to League Members at Monday's monthly membership meeting. Marin ranks high in the nation in overall health. However there are clearly issues to be addressed to maintain the high ranking.

Big News! After almost 40 years, the LWVC is seizing the moment to close the corporate loophole in Proposition 13 that keeps too many companies from paying their fair share.

Since 2015, the League has been a part of the Make It Fair coalition—which today (December 16th) filed an initiative to do just that. The League campaigned against Prop 13 in 1978, and we’re excited to continue our leadership and help pass this critical reform.

Californians deserve world-class schools and universities, quality healthcare, safe neighborhoods, and affordable homes. That is what our taxes should pay for. It’s past time to close this loophole and stop letting big business rob our schools and local communities, impoverish future generations, and endanger California’s economic future. The California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act of 2018 is the responsible, fair, and long-overdue tax system to ensure California can thrive now and in the future.

The California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act of 2018 will create a “split roll”; non-residential, non-agricultural commercial property will be reassessed on a regular basis. This will lead to an estimated increase in property tax of over $11 billion per year—revenue that will go directly to schools and local governments.

]]>Election ResultsScott McKownWed, 08 Nov 2017 17:40:06 +0000http://www.marinlwv.org/news-home/2017/11/8/election-results5600385ee4b02cfe4bf0edb4:56018828e4b0ead07ebd90f9:5a03411b085229909de40990Local Election results Updated as of 11/15/17, and available on the MarinVotes.org website or on the League's Voter Info page. Results are listed below each candidate forum. Measure information can also be found on the Voter Info page. As of today, 100% of the polling precincts have returned ballots to the Elections Department in San Rafael. Marin County has 74,175 registered voters with 20,000 eligible but not yet registered voters. read more]]>Election EndorsementsScott McKownWed, 25 Oct 2017 18:46:20 +0000http://www.marinlwv.org/news-home/2017/10/25/election-endorsements5600385ee4b02cfe4bf0edb4:56018828e4b0ead07ebd90f9:59f0dad5914e6b3418934217After study and discussion, the League of Women Voters of Marin has agreed to endorse two of the five measures on various local Marin County elections.

Statement of Support for Measure A, November 2017

The League of Women Voters of Marin endorses Measure A, a parcel tax of $535 proposed by the Lagunitas Elementary School District to continue supporting vital education programs currently funded by a parcel tax set to expire next year.

Anticipated revenue from this 8-year tax will be used for salaries for five classroom teachers, counseling, technology services and supplies. None of these funds will be spend on administrative costs. Eligible seniors are exempted from this tax.

While the League recognizes that a 6.5% annual increase appears to exceed a “normal” cost of living increase of 1 to 2%, we believe that the District has made a compelling argument for the increase, and the League therefore supports the parcel tax.

Statement of Support for Measure E, November 2017

The League of Women Voters of Marin endorses Measure E, a parcel tax (ranging from $47 for individual households to about $1,200 for large commercial properties) proposed by the Marin County Flood Control District Zone No. 1 to complete flood mitigation measures within the Novato area.

Anticipated revenue from this 18-year tax is $20 million. 20% will be allocated to the City of Novato for local related projects; 50% will be used for tidal restoration, and 30% will go to repairing pumps and levees not currently funded by general revenues. A preliminary list of needed projects shows estimated costs in the range of $25 - $42 million.

Proponents claim that current Flood Control funds and revenues are insufficient to complete this work. Opponents agree that more work needs to be done, but claim that funds can be secured elsewhere (e.g., through existing reserves, the County, or Measure AA).

However, existing Flood Control Zone reserves are otherwise allocated; County funds are outside the control of the Flood Control District; and Measure AA (a large grant-funding source for the entire Bay Area) has no current plans to fund this work. It is the opinion of the League of Women Voters that, with no guarantees for special funding in place, this parcel tax is a reasonable request. The tax will be subject to annual audits, and eligible seniors may be exempted.